In a contest to be remembered for years to come, Canada defeated Team USA 3-2 in overtime to claim the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off title at TD Garden in Boston. It was a dream finish to what was a dream matchup for most fans, with Connor McDavid, the savior, scoring that important game winning goal.

The back-and-forth, give-and-take contest between the two North American superpowers did not disappoint, and the affair saw each team give it everything they had. With millions glued to their screens, the final represented everything about hockey that makes it great—speed, skill, physicality, and drama.

First Period: MacKinnon Strikes, USA responds

The game commenced with each team feeling the other out, trading rushes, with an intense physicality. But it didn’t take Canada long to open the scoring with Nathan MacKinnon whipping a wrister past Connor Hellebuyck at 4:48 of the first half. Assisted by Sam Reinhart, the Colorado Avalanche superstar’s shot whizzed past traffic to give Canada the 1-goal advantage.

However, Team USA did not take long to respond. Brady Tkachuk scored the tying goal at 16:52, thanks to Auston Matthews‘ tough play, who stole the puck and made the key pass to Tkachuk.

The first period ended 1-1, and the stage was set for an even more action packed second period.

Second Period: Sanderson gives the U.S. the advantage, but Canada rejoins

This time, it was the Americans who struck first, snatching the lead back with their signature aggressive play, piling on the pressure. It paid off when Jake Sanderson scored off of Auston Matthews’ rebound at 7:31, and the Americans took the 2-1 advantage.

But Canada did reply in kind. In a matter of minutes, the score was 2-2, thanks to Sam Bennett’s finish after a bit of back-and-forth play with Mitch Marner. The tempo of the game put the crowd in an anxious mood, aware that even a slight tip in the scales could be the difference-making moment. The period ended in a deadlock between the two sides at 2-2 to set up a nail-biting final period.

Third Period: A battle taken to overtime

The third period saw the two teams tighten up in defense, with both sides weathering storms from the other. The U.S. had some great chances in the third period, with Canada struggling to find a response. But in the dying minutes, Team Canada had their own flurry but was unable to get anything out of it.

With both teams unable to score, the clock ran out in regulation, and the game went into the sudden-death overtime—much the same manner in which the 2010 Olympic gold medal game between the same teams ended.

Overtime: McDavid’s heroics secure the win for Canada

In overtime, the intensity of the game reached its peak, with high-danger chances at both ends. Team USA nearly ended it when Auston Matthews had a golden opportunity in front, but Jordan Binnington made a spectacular save to keep Canada alive.

Then, at 8:18, the defining moment arrived. A defensive breakdown by the U.S. left Connor McDavid all alone between the face-off circles. A gorgeous pass by Marner saw the puck blasted by McDavid past Hellebuyck, and that was that. The Canadian fans erupted as McDavid’s teammates swarmed him, celebrating Canada’s win and their re-establishment of hockey dominance.

Key performers in the final

Team Canada

Connor McDavid: Scored the OT game-winner to write his name in the record books.

Nathan MacKinnon: Led the charge and was awarded tournament MVP, recording a tournament-high four goals.

Jordan Binnington: Made 31 stops, some enormous saves in the OT, and quieted the critics.

Team USA

Brady Tkachuk: Scored the first goal for his team, showcasing his toughness and finishing skills.

Jake Sanderson: Secured a brief American advantage in the second period with a timely goal.

Connor Hellebuyck: Kept the USA in the game with big-time saves, though he couldn’t stop McDavid’s golden goal.

The 4 Nations Face-Off officially established itself as a grand spectacle, giving credence to the theory that best-on-best hockey is the most fun to watch. For Canada, the victory affirms the team’s dominance in the sport. Headed by the trio of McDavid, MacKinnon, and Crosby, the team could be destined for gold at Milano-Cortina. For Team USA, the loss stings, but the young core, led by Hughes, Eichel, and Matthews, confirmed that they are to be reckoned with and that this was not the Team USA of past years. As the celebrations rage throughout Canada, something’s for sure—hockey’s most storied rivalry added another page to the record books.